Need the best weight loss tips for your fat dog? Victoria Stilwell stars on Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog. But she also does a show, It’s Me or the Tubby Dog. In a particular episode on dog weight loss, dog training expert Victoria Stilwell visited three people who had very chunky dogs. According to the veterinarian, these dogs were double their normal weight.

Victoria Stilwell explained that despite what the dog owners feel is an act of love, overfeeding a dog is an act of cruelty in its maintain unique way. If you have an overweight dog, its life span is being prick dramatically short. If your dog is overweight and you aren’t feeding it much, you can bet that your fat dog is finding food on its own, such as the case with obese dog Hattie.

But maybe you deliberately feed your obese dog, such as the case with Gizmo. And then Jess’s owner seemed to provide much of the feeding without even realizing it, continually putting handfuls of food to the animal’s mouth while going about her business.

Hattie lives in a house with a woman and two young girls. The beagle, which was being fed just once a day in the a.m., was caught on videotape raiding food in the kitchen. This canine also has ripped open the girls’ lunch bags that were left on chairs. Solution? Keep food out of the dog’s arrive, and feed the pet controlled portions once in the morning and then again in the evening so that the animal doesn’t feel deprived.

To get her point across, Victoria Stilwell establish a large bowl of candy before the girls, then said they couldn’t have any. She then began eating brownies before the kids and offered them some, then pulled it away at the last moment, explaining that this temptation is what Hattie goes through every day when food is left within advance. The video showed Hattie getting its paws atop a kitchen counter and retrieving leftover food.

In the case of Gizmo the Chihuahua, Victoria Stilwell explained that the chocolate that Gizmo was getting was toxic. Furthermore, this was the only dog of the owners’ six total canines that never got any exercise. Gizmo was also routinely being fed arresting Indian food.

Victoria Stilwell showed Jess’s owner the equivalent, in human consumption, of what this dog was being fed every week. Laid out on a table were platefuls of food, enough to feed a football team. The owner was stunned.

Victoria Stilwell then began explaining the importance of adding vegetables and fruit to a dog’s diet.

These paunchy dogs were weighed about five months later. Jess and Hattie still had significant weight problems. Victoria had Jess’s owner walk around wearing an 11-pound sack on her back so that she could feel the strain that her 11-pound-overweight dog felt.

Hattie was sent to a “dog fat farm” for five weeks and came back a little slimmer, proving to her owner that this dog indeed can lose weight. But even after that, Hattie remained overweight. Victoria Stilwell then presented Hattie’s owner with blown-up photos of her two daughters’ faces — as they’d behold if the girls were fat. The girls thought it was hilarious, but their mother was moved to tears.

The demonstrate concluded with the kids and Victoria Stilwell on scooters (the kind where you propel with your feet while in a standing position), with a leashed Hattie in tow: Exercising your fat canine can be a fun activity.

So for anybody who has a fat dog and thinks nothing can be done about it, tune in to the next episode of It’s Me or the Stout Dog.

Click for more great doggie articles including best family dog, fat loss tips for a fat pooch, leashing, crating, etc.

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Bringing a modern dog into your household is very noteworthy like bringing a new child into the family. Like a child, a dog needs a great deal of structure and guidance initially. One tried and true method for accomplishing this is to utilize the crate training method. This is the process of providing your German shepherd with their own personal space by giving them a crate that they can spend time in. The crate has a door that you can shut which allows you to keep your dog in his crate (and out of trouble) during those times when you are not able to give him adequate supervision.

Benefits of Crate Training:

- Allows you to contain control over the dog’s environment including unsupervised access to certain parts of the house.
- Assists in housebreaking.
- Provides an easy plan to transport your dog in an environment that he is comfortable with.
- Provides your dog with a place of his own, which resembles the natural den dwellings canines use in the wild.

There is a variety of crates to choose from. You may select a hard plastic crate that provides more privacy and security. You may resolve to purchase a more open metal crate that allows you to crate your German shepherd without making him feel secluded. You can even find fabric crates that offer a cozier feel. All of these crates have their strong points. It is always a good idea to research the different crates available to you and recall the one that best meets the needs of you and your dog.

Make sure that the crate you choose has enough room for your dog to stand and turn around in, but for training purposes you don’t want to glean a crate that is much larger than that. The time needed for training can vary based on your dog’s age and adaptability. You will have much better success if you have exiguous training goals that provide your dog with many opportunities to make a training session successful.

Tips for building a bond between your German shepherd and his crate:

- Place the crate in a room where the humans of the house spend most of their time.
- Line the bottom of the crate with a towel or blanket that the dog can snuggle in.
- When placing your dog in the crate, always sing in a very cheerful voice.
- Entice him to enter the crate by himself with praise and treats. (Never force the dog to enter the crate!)
- Place a toy that your dog loves inside the crate.
- Feed your dog close to the crate.

Once your dog no longer seems disturbed when entering the crate, you are ready to start feeding him inside the crate. Start by placing his food just inside the crate. At each feeding, move the bowl further inside. When he seems comfortable eating his meals inside the crate, try shutting the door while he’s eating. In the beginning, let him out as soon as he has finished his meal. Then start gradually increasing the time he remains in the crate by a minute or two longer. It is well-known to originate sure he is happy during this time. He is still learning to like the crate, so you do not want him to feel trapped. However, if he does start crying you need to talk to him and calm him down, but don’t let him come out of the crate until he stops. If you immediately let him out as soon as he starts whining, he will learn that all he has to do is cry if he wants out of the crate.

Next you will start to condition your dog to start spending some non-meal time in the crate. Remember not to accelerate this or you will undo all of your hard work. Start by training him to enter the crate when asked to. You can do this by consistently using the same command and offering treats when done correctly. Initially you should consume most of your time sitting quietly reach the crate. Then start spending part of the training time in another room.
The key to success with this training method is patience and consistency. During each training session, start spending more time out of your dog’s site. Always start and waste the training session by remaining near the crate for a few minutes. And remember to only let your dog out of the crate while he is not whining or crying. When you feel like he will be fine in the crate for longer periods, you are ready to start leaving your dog in the crate when he sleeps at night or while you leave the house for short periods of time.

Tips for leaving your dog in his crate while you are away:

- Make sure he has plenty of drinking water
- Put a toy in the crate to keep him company.
- Do not construct your leaving an emotional affair. The longer your goodbye, the more he’ll dread it.
- When you return home, calmly let him out of the crate.
- So that the dog does not associate the entering the crate with your leaving, continue to put him in the crate periodically while you are home.

If you decide to crate your dog at night, it is a good idea to place the crate in your room so that he doesn’t feel completely isolated. Although this is also true for older dogs, it is especially important if your dog is less than six months old. Not only do they need the comfort of knowing that you are close by, but they also need to be able to let you know when they need to go outside. If your adult dog seems completely comfortable with sleeping in his crate, you can depart the crate to another station in your house if needed.

Although a crate can provide many amazing benefits to both you and your, make sure that you do not confine your dog too often. The crate is a small space and your dog may begin to feel trapped if he is not allowed plenty non-crate time. In other words, you shouldn’t crate your dog all day while you work and then again all night while you sleep. He needs more than just a few hours of freedom a day. Puppies should not be kept in crates for more than a few hours at any given time. And always make sure that you recall your dog outside when needed.
Crate training is just one of many methods you can use to train your dog, but many people have found that it is the diagram that works best for them and their canine friend. As long as you make the crate a trusted station that the dog is fond of, you will find that the crate can keep your dog safe and give you peace of mind while you are away. Training definitely takes time and energy, but if you are patient, consistent, and always remain positive, you will have a jubilant, great best friend.

Note: If your dog has separation dread, confining him to a crate is not a solution and is likely to aggravate the status. You can find alternative methods for working with separation anxiety from your veterinarian or through additional research.

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After much begging, you make the announcement that you will allow your child to have a dog. After all, a dog will teach your children vast responsibility and will allow them to have another friend they can play with. But, the question seems, what is the appropriate breed of dog for my child? The list is compiled using the top ten dog breeds that meet the following criteria:

-All of the following dogs are known for their gentle dispositions and patience with children.
-Even though most giant breeds (such as Immense Danes, Saint Bernards and Mastiffs) are excellent companions to children, their large size may easily knock a child over in play.
-The list does not include high energy breeds such as many terriers, although they, as with any dog, can make an favorable companion to a dog with well-behaved socialization.
-Another type of dog that was omitted from the list was the small toy-type dogs such as Chihuahuas and Yorkies. This is because their fragile bodies are not meant to be played with the intention children play with their dogs.
-The fragment at the end titled “Other Dogs Who are Good with Children” have dog breeds listed for their fondness of children without regard to their size, energy or way of being.

Here is a list of the top 10 common dog breeds for children.

1. The Mutt- You’ll be surprised to catch out that the best dog breed for children is actually a mutt. Many animal shelters have plenty of mixed breed dogs that would compose amazing companions to your child. Mutts have been known for having slightly higher intelligence than their pure bred counterparts and the fact that you are saving their lives by adopting them makes them extremely trusty to your family. Due to hybrid vigor (heterosis) many mixed breed dogs are genetically superior to their parents due to obtaining the better virtues of both sides. Therefore mixed breed dogs are less likely to obtain certain diseases that are prone to appear in purebred dog breeds. Mixed-breed dogs are also easy to acquire, they make the perfect dog for someone willing to offer them love. Their unusual appearance will always make them stand out, with no other dog looking exactly like them.
-A Possible Problem: Mutt’s temperaments and standards are unpredictable and one might find a hard time understanding the dog completely.
-Favorite Activity: Varies

2. Labrador Retriever- It is rare to stumble on a list of dog breeds without including the Labrador retriever. It is considered the most popular breed of dog in the world, and with reason. The Labrador’s size is ideal for children of all ages and their active bodies withstand the hours of rough play given to them. With proper training, the lab is known to be one of the most valid and obedient dogs there can be. They are known for their mellow dispositions and for their affectionate displays towards their owners. Labradors generally live to be between 12-13 years of age and are a relatively healthy breed. Labs reach in yellow, black or chocolate, but whatever the color, they guarantee fun.
-A Possible Problem: Labs are known for their high energy and if not properly trained or socialized, they can be quite boisterous and hyperactive.
-Favorite Activity: “Net”

3. Golden Retriever- It’s easy to see why people love this breed so remarkable. Their smiling faces, friendly disposition and uncouth loyalty towards their owners are some things that keepers of this breed cherish and brag about. Golden Retrievers are known to be extremely eager to please and are naturally level-headed animals. In the display ring, it is considered a serious fault for a Golden Retriever to prove any aggression towards any human or animal. Their gentle disposition and their patience with children make them suitable for the family home. Golden Retrievers typically live between 10-12 years.
-A Possible Problem: Many Goldens are susceptible to diseases that are acquired either genetically or by environmental factors. Cancer is a common death in the breed, affecting roughly 61% of Golden Retrievers. (According to a 1998 glimpse by the Golden Retriever Club of America)
-Favorite Activity: “Fetch”

4. Beagle- One of the most famous dogs of the hound group, the beagle is always a child’s favorite. There are two different varieties, with an array of hound colors. The merry breed is a pack animal and will always want to be in the company of its human family. The smaller size of the beagle allows children to be able to properly handle the dog. Upkeep is minimal for the breed as they don’t require distinguished grooming. Beagles are hounds known for their intelligence: even though many scent hounds are known for being “stubborn”, the beagle is constantly trained as a sniff dog at many police departments and airports. The Beagle’s lifespan is approximately 12 years.
-A Possible Problem: Susceptible to many ailments. Beagles are prone to ear infections.
-Favorite Activity: Hiking

5. Poodle- Famous for its hair, the poodle is an amazing candidate for children. Although they come in three different sizes, Standard Poodle sizes are especially known to be great with kids. The poodle is ideal for children who are prone to suffer from allergies. Poodles have hair, not fur, and thus do not shed. Apart from being hypo-allergenic, poodles are considered to be one of the smartest dog breeds. They are keen with their instincts but at the same time are extremely eager to please. Poodles are the dog trainers’ common dog because they tend to learn things easily. Lifespan is approximately 12 years.
-A Possible Problem: Susceptible to many ailments. Poodles are one of the unfortunate breeds known to be prone to GDV (bloat), where the stomach organ twists due to excessive gas. If not treated immediately it is a sure death.
-Favorite Activity: Tricks

6. Scotch Collie (Rough and Smooth)- Known for being the breed who saved young Timmy from a well, collies everywhere are embraced for their known companionship with children. They are a very gentle and sweet breed and they may be protective of its family. Collies are a generally healthy breed and their average lifespan is 12-14 years. Collies are very eager to please their owners, and such, can be trained easily. They have a high level of intelligence but training must be done with completely positive reinforcement since other training methods and corrections make the collie shy away from training.
-A Possible Problem: Although generally healthy, some collies have an allele that makes them sensitive to Invermectin. This may be a serious problem as this drug is used for heartworm prevention. Invermectin is not the only drug they are sensitive to: more than 20 drugs are known to give them adverse reactions.
-Favorite Activity: Herding (even with stuffed animals)

7. Basset Hound- Notorious for being the mascot of the Hush Puppies brand, the Basset makes an amazing dog for children. Although at first contemplate, their body structure and huge size may give the impression that they are lazy, but given the opportunity for play, Bassets don’t seem to tire. The Basset is grievous to the ground and has really long ears in order to be able to pick up scents more easily from the ground. Due to this, some Bassets would buy to pay attention to their scents than to you. Known as being a stubborn breed to train, the most suitable training method would be positive reinforcement with food. Even so, the Basset Hound has won the hearts of many due to its inability to hurt a human. They are gentle, patient and loving and it’s hard to resist that sad facial expression. A Basset Hound’s average lifespan is about 11 years.
-Possible Problem: Prone to bloat and potentially fatal ear diseases.
-Favorite Activity: Walks (Gives them the opportunity to smell new scents)

8. American Cocker Spaniel- Famous for its astronomical dim and expressive eyes and curly coat, the Cocker Spaniel continues to be a famed breed among families. Easily trusting and contented, the Cocker Spaniel seems to enjoy the company of almost anyone. They are eager to please and are easily trainable, although they also tend to shy away from correctional methods. Cocker Spaniels are very outgoing and happy dogs and enjoy family outings and events where they get to feel as if they are fragment of the family. Their gentle disposition makes them great companions and excellent therapy dogs. They are also very graceful in dog shows and are known for their competitiveness. Cockers live an average of 10-11 years.
-A Possible Problem: Prone to chronic ear infections and eye problems.
-Favorite Activity: Tug of War

9. English Bulldog- Although their appearance is quite intimidating, Bulldogs are extremely trusty dogs who crave human attention at all times. Gentle and sweet to those he sees as family, the Bulldog can also make a gigantic guard dog. Bred to be able to bait bulls, the Bulldog is a very doughty breed that can never frightened away from many activities. Since they are quite dominant, their owners must be able to understand dog behavior and the order of their hierarchy. Bulldogs need walks daily in order for them to maintain a healthy weight. Their patience and gentle demeanor allows for even children to be able to walk them. The average lifespan is 8-12 years. Those who own a bulldog say that they can never have another breed of dog.
-A Possible Problem: Prone to many infections, especially in their skin. Due to their skin being so tight, creases must be cleaned daily in order to avoid infection.
-Favorite Activity: Cuddling

10. English Setter- For the family that is willing to give plenty of attention and exercise to this breed, the English Setter will point to gratitude with their strong willed and loyal behavior. They are very people-oriented and seem to do well in environments where the Setter is constantly with human companionship. A very active breed, the English Setter can also be perfect coach potatoes when you are at home and just feel like cuddling. They are very gentle and placid and get along perfectly with children. They are very sensitive to criticism and avoid disappointing their owners. Training with positive reinforcement is the only way to successfully train them. Their beautiful and elegant coat must be brushed frequently. Due to their activeness, they are not suitable for apartments. Their average lifespan is 10-12 years.
-A Possible Problem: English Setters are prone to hip dysplasia.
-Favorite Activity: Jogging

Other Dogs Who are Exceptionally Good with Children:
American Bulldogs
American Eskimo Dogs
American Foxhound
American Pitbull Terriers (Don’t believe the negative and irrational responses against them)
American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Shepherd
Bearded Collie
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bloodhound
Border Terrier
Boston Terrier
Boxer
Curly Coated Retriever
English Foxhound
English Mastiff
English Shepherd
Flat-Coated Retriever
Gordon Setter
Great Dane
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Harrier
Havanese
Irish Wolfhound
Keeshond
Kerry Blue Terrier
Newfoundland
Norwegian Elkhound
Old English Sheepdog
Portuguese Water Dog
Pug
Saint Bernard
Samoyed
Scottish Deerhound
Siberian Husky
Sussex Spaniel
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Wirehaired Vizsla

So where do you collect any of these incredible breeds? Go to your local animal shelter and adopt a dog from there, more than 40% are purebreds and you would be saving their lives! Plus, dogs who are bred in puppy mills (pet shops and backyard breeders) are very likely to suffer from and be more prone to diseases.

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People concerned about the quandary of homeless dogs can now come together online.

With the Dallas/Fort Worth Canine Rescues (DFWCARES) people can post contact information for breeds, rescue organizations, coordination of transportation, lists of dogs in shelters needing help, and a meeting place while networking.

The site (dfwcares.org) contains detailed information about rescue resources in and around the Metroplex and is essentially an email group for people and members of canine rescue groups in the area and neighboring locations to help homeless dogs.

Anyone keen in canine rescue now or wanting to be in the future with the member groups to help needy canines may join.

You can apply for membership at the link.

Joan Fremo of the Animal Rescue Klub (ARK) in Carrollton says there is nothing wrong with a rescued pet.

“What’s wrong with these dogs? Usually it’s the people giving them up!” she says.

The Coppell Humane Society in Coppell, TX does not have a shelter and all of their rescued animals are in foster homes. They have mobile Adopt-A-Pet events regularly. You can adopt a crate or donate by shopping.

The DFW Humane Society in Irving, TX has cats, dogs, barnyards, and exotics. Established in 1967, the organization also offers paw partners to help fund rescue efforts.

The Humane Animal Rescue Team of Texas (HART) holds microchip clinics and adopt-athons at various venues.

The Humane Society of Lewisville is actively involved in supporting the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (NAHEE) Adopt-A-Teacher Program.

Often people feel they must give up their pets for various reasons and at wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp you can find alternatives and be able to keep them.

Tassie’s Hope Animal Rescue, a no-kill shelter in Carrollton, TX conducts pet adoptions at Petsmart in Frisco.

The Texas Alaskan Malamute Animal Rescue said these breeds or Malamute mixes overflow local shelters or need new homes. Non-Texas visitors may visit the Alaskan Malamute Assistance League (AMAL) website for local rescue affiliates and dogs or secure other rescue websites at their rescue resources page (texalmal.com). General and specific dog sponsorships and private assistance is available for individual owners.

Border Collie Rescue of Texas (BCRT) matches Border Collies with owners based on temperament and abilities.

NorCal Boxer Rescue provides a sanctuary for Boxers in California and Texas.

American Brittany Rescue says Brittanys aren’t high maintenance dogs in terms of coat care and medical needs. They are not high-strung and in need of many miles of walking per day but they do require attention daily and obedience training is always recommended. Brittanys usually live 12-14 years so a commitment on the part of the owner is necessary. They are also considered”dual quality” dogs meaning that they’re obliging for breeding and dog shows. They can compete at many levels in many activities such as tracking and agility tests and junior showmanship (for kids).

In many states there are never enough volunteers to relieve all the homeless Brittanys.

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I have managed to become skilled at how to overcome some of the not-so-pleasant aspects of owning that modern puppy, taking into consideration I have been breeding Labrador Retrievers for discontinuance to fifteen years,. So many times I have new owners call me in absolute despair wanting to know how on earth they can gain their newest family member to pee or poop ANYWHERE except on the floor of their home. For me, it is a devastating statistic that the number one reason puppies find themselves in shelters is due to house training issues. This is such a simple obstacle to overcome, so long as you know how. So, how do we sustain you and your pup from any more accidents that may be starting to stretch your friendship?

House training puppies can be a monumental task if the owner is naive of what specifically is required to have their pup behaving in an acceptable way. Think of it for a minute from the pups perspective…They have just arrive from a litter where their mother has fed, cleaned and disciplined them. Life was pretty easy there, they could mess about with their siblings and pee or poop wherever they liked AND (within the first two weeks of being born) mother would clean the mess up! Your pups mother would also lick and groom the pup clean of everything that stuck to their small body.

Then, you came along. You and your pup have arrived succor home…Minus the other litter mates and mother. Suddenly, the environment has changed, the social group has changed and the rules are SO unlike to what your pup was musty to. Your life has also altered now. You have a little body that needs guidance and boundaries for it to understand what is needed in order to live harmoniously inside your home.

The only truly winning way to teach your pup how to be house trained is (drum-roll please…) for YOU to be trained! Nope, I don’t mean that we have to train you to go potty and I’m determined you are house trained by now…However, if you feel you need a revision on your own house breaking needs feel free to
apply it to yourself

Similar to you and I, pups and dogs in general are creatures of habit. They flourish on regularity and thrive with
repetitive actions. If you wanted to yell your dog the instruction to sit, you would use that instruction every time you requested it of him. You wouldn’t say Grab a seat and then say Pull up a pew along with a myriad of
other phrases if all you wanted was for him to simply sit. Using that one term over and over will allow your dog to learn faster and with more success. The same is true for toilet training your pup or dog. If your pup learns that you are radiant, constant and straightforward to understand this will pave the way for everything your pup needs to know. If, however, he finds that you are frightening, angry and contradictory you may look forward to a life with a dog that has no clear direction or boundaries on behaviour, and certainly no real success in house training him or her.

What really is valuable to your pup or dog learning for life, is knowing the exact commands and having the correct
environment for your pup to go potty. If you are able to be taught some wonderful techniques to use, pick up on the signals your pup gives you and most of all…BE CONSISTENT, your pup will most certainly prosper under your care.

Remember, every oversight teaches your puppy the wrong habit. Knowing what tools you must have for successful training will have your battle already partly won. I constantly refer my new puppy owners to my website below for a fast and inexpensive guaranteed way to combat the potty accidents, and to accomplish a rewarding and satisfying connection with your pup for life. I wish you years of enjoyment and puppy potty training triumph!

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